As Alexander Hedge skims along the surface of the water in an aerodynamic shell, to the Morristown native, "it feels like I'm winning." Hedge grew up spending hours a day under the water swimming —but thinking something wasn't quite right.

He discovered rowing as a high school sophomore. There was an ergometer in the Morristown weight room, and strength coach Rob Izsa had posted a 500-meter record board.

The first time Hedge tried the erg, he shattered the top mark. Izsa, himself a masters weightlifting competitor, suggested Hedge look into crew.

A dozen years later, Hedge will be part of Team USA at the FISA World Rowing Championships due to start Sept. 21 in China. The 28-year-old will row in the men's four and eight, a rare double in a post-Olympic year.

If both boats make A-fin

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